What is really behind the surge in applications to top colleges?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Record number of applications seem to be the rule this year.

Boston Univ sees record numbers: https://www.bu.edu/today/2018/six-quick-stats-about-who-applied-to-the-class-of-2022/

Florida State applications rise to 48,000 from 41,000 last year: http://www.fsunews.com/story/news/2018/02/11/fsu-receives-record-breaking-number-applications/326977002/

Even women's colleges are seeing strong increases. Smith College reports record applications: https://www.smith.edu/news/a-new-record-for-the-class-of-2022/

This seems unsustainable...

I thought women's colleges were going to die a slow death but the top women's colleges seem to be doing just fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Record number of applications seem to be the rule this year.

Boston Univ sees record numbers: https://www.bu.edu/today/2018/six-quick-stats-about-who-applied-to-the-class-of-2022/

Florida State applications rise to 48,000 from 41,000 last year: http://www.fsunews.com/story/news/2018/02/11/fsu-receives-record-breaking-number-applications/326977002/

Even women's colleges are seeing strong increases. Smith College reports record applications: https://www.smith.edu/news/a-new-record-for-the-class-of-2022/

This seems unsustainable...

I thought women's colleges were going to die a slow death but the top women's colleges seem to be doing just fine.

I think as long as they are near another co-ed school, they will be fine. My DD goes to an all girls high school and loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My two Asian cousins from Cali put in close to thirty applications each.

I understand. I want my kids to apply to no more then 9 schools but then statistics reveal that as Asians, we have to apply to more schools.

That's because you Asians created your own applications arms race. Haven't you noticed that the elite schools are only taking two kids per high school? And then every top kid in the school is submitting 20-30 applications to those top schools? What the heck do you think is going to happen?

My white kid, strong academics and test scores but meh grades, and meh extracurriculars is 5 for 5 on apps to highly ranked competitive schools, both public and private. 4 were good/stretch fits and 1 safety. Only waiting to hear from one reach school. Start being realistic about the process instead of applying to all reach schools.

Do you also tell your black friends about how your white kid has never been pulled over for driving a nice car in a nice neighborhood?

+1

[Anonymous]

http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2018/02/class-of-2022-applicant-pool

Apps up at Princeton by 14% this year. The acceptance rate is expected to fall around 5-5.5%.

[Anonymous]

*fall to around

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2018/02/class-of-2022-applicant-pool

Apps up at Princeton by 14% this year. The acceptance rate is expected to fall around 5-5.5%.

So Princeton has gone from 13695 applications for the Class of 2008 to 35386 this year for a class size of 1295!?! At this rate, HYPSM will have 3% acceptance rates by the time my HS freshman applies. I graduated in 92 and there is no way I would get in today.

The top liberal arts schools are seeing huge jumps as well. Besides Bowdoin, Amherst College supposedly has over 10000 applications for the first time for an entering class of 470.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2018/02/class-of-2022-applicant-pool

Apps up at Princeton by 14% this year. The acceptance rate is expected to fall around 5-5.5%.

Assuming yield remains the same or increases. Princeton yield has been declining a bit because P loses the cross-admit battle with all the other HYPSM schools. in any case it will most probably be under 6%.

[Anonymous]

They need to get rid of the common app and have individual applications for schools. The common app makes it very easy to apply to many many schools. And as the number of applications goes up and admit rates go down, kids apply to more and more because it's a total crapshoot. I know one kid who applied to 20 schools last year- looked like he was going to Vermont and then gets into Berkeley after being rejected at most every place else. When you hear stories like that, it's hard to argue with applying to a ton of schools- if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Common App is not going anywhere. It's a windfall for the school with all the application fees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Common App is not going anywhere. It's a windfall for the school with all the application fees.

Application fees are not a big money maker for colleges. Most colleges are generous with fee waivers as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need to get rid of the common app and have individual applications for schools. The common app makes it very easy to apply to many many schools. And as the number of applications goes up and admit rates go down, kids apply to more and more because it's a total crapshoot. I know one kid who applied to 20 schools last year- looked like he was going to Vermont and then gets into Berkeley after being rejected at most every place else. When you hear stories like that, it's hard to argue with applying to a ton of schools- if you can afford it.

berkeley doesn't use common app.

[Anonymous]

NESCAC school Bates reported an astounding 45% increase in applications over last year. http://www.bates.edu/news/2018/02/21/bates-college-attracts-record-number-of-applications-for-incoming-class/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NESCAC school Bates reported an astounding 45% increase in applications over last year. http://www.bates.edu/news/2018/02/21/bates-college-attracts-record-number-of-applications-for-incoming-class/

Well, no surprise: "Bates has simplified the application process in another way. Effective this year, the college has eliminated the application requirement of a supplemental essay."

It's sad how far so many colleges are going just to push their acceptance rate down.

[Anonymous]

if georgetown went to common app it would probably cut its acceptance rate by a third.

[Anonymous]

ucas limit in uk is 5 schools!

and if want to apply to oxbridge, you can only apply to one or the other, not both!

imagine what admissions would look like if you could only apply to 2 ivies max for instance.